This past weekend I did a sprint race with a 600 yard ows that was a time trial start. Usually this race director is good about sending everyone off in 3 second (or more) intervals. However, for some reason, the starter at this race was sending everyone off in about 1 second intervals. This, combined with the fact that you could walk to the first buoy and it led to a very crowded swim. So, we got to the first buoy, turned parallel to the shore and headed to the second turn buoy to head in…this was without incident. Then, as I started heading back into shore I caught up with another group. I will be the first to admit that it got very crowded and it was hard to get a good full stroke in for about 25 yards or so. Well, as I was looking for a lane to get through the bodies I felt someone grab my calf and yank my leg backwards…at first I thought “what an ass” but in that moment I was going to keep swimming…well I must have timed my breath just right because when I came up for air I heard the guy yell “get the hell out of the way”. I went vertical in the water and spun around looking for this guy because we were going to have words (or something similar). In the chaos of the bodies I couldn’t find the guy (which was probably good since we were still a couple hundred yards off shore). I was pretty stunned…I am not a slow swimmer but this swim slowed us all down. I know there are plenty of these people out there but this is the first time I came across one…anyway, that is my vent…
Sounds like the 1st turn of all IM swim races that have two loops . . . pretty typical. I try to practice my “do unto others…” beliefs in those situations…I’m not always successful :-)!
I’ve been hit, kicked, grabbed, etc…that doesn’t bother me, that’s part of racing…it was the fact that it was clearly intentional and he said something to me as he did it…
Was that Mtn. Lakes?
I’m with you…I had EXACTLY what you describe happen to me in the IMH swim one year…I think the guy wanted to fight in the middle of the swim …I just wanted to swim…don’t blame you for your rant.
Is it only one person who is being an ass? I see one guy getting mad and yelling during the swim and I see another wanting to “have words” about it during the swim.
Yep…were you there?
Is it only one person who is being an ass? I see one guy getting mad and yelling during the swim and I see another wanting to “have words” about it during the swim.
The ass is the person that initiates a confrontation…that was done by grabbing me, cursing me and tell me to get out of his way…if I punch you in your face and you punch me back does that make you an ass or just me?
Yep, same race where non registered athletes were riding in a peloton during the race
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Oh wow, I missed those guys…
Is it only one person who is being an ass? I see one guy getting mad and yelling during the swim and I see another wanting to “have words” about it during the swim.
The ass is the person that initiates a confrontation…that was done by grabbing me, cursing me and tell me to get out of his way…if I punch you in your face and you punch me back does that make you an ass or just me?
You are in the middle of a race and you decided to stop to try to start a fight, you are as bad as he is.
I admire your ghandi-esque qualities…hope when the moment comes to you this feeling of inner peace and ultimate forgiveness washes over you and you politely move out of the way of this person.
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You are in the middle of a race and you decided to stop to try to start a fight, you are as bad as he is.
Fuck that. This aggression will not stand.
I admire your ghandi-esque qualities…hope when the moment comes to you this feeling of inner peace and ultimate forgiveness washes over you and you politely move out of the way of this person.
When I am in a race I keep racing because I am focused on the race, not trying to prove what a tough guy I am.
It’s something called maturity, one day you will understand.
It’s better to use this anger & adrenaline to propel you faster than to stop and start something, know that he’s behind you and that it’s probably pissing him off as a result and that if he grabs you again in an obvious way you can always thrash about a bit with that leg to let him know that you’re not to be fucked about with (just make sure you don’t end up cramping you leg when you do it).
If you did want to do something constructive mid-race you could always take a race number for what it’s worth a report it to the race organisers but I doubt unless someone saw it happening that anything would come of it.
Also keep in mind that a lot of grabs in the water aren’t intentional grabs - they’re someone pulling water hard enough that when they hit your leg by accident, it’ll feel like a grab. Sounds like you actually were grabbed in your case, but I do know that I’ve felt ‘grabbed’ in all my tris, and I’m positive that nobody has actually tried to grab me, as I’ve looked back quickly and nobody’s even still back there.
I have to say that if someone if consciously grabbing me and telling me to get out of the way while I am well within my rights to be doing exactly what I am doing, then I don’t see the problem in confronting the person.
Unless this is my A race, just because I am racing does not mean I am ok with some jerk thinking he can force his way over me. I also would think I should respond to him so that he doesn’t pull that crap with others who are less able or willing to stand up to this guy.
I don’t believe it is immature to call people out on unacceptable behaviour.
There seems to be a lot of people in this sport that act like a ass because they can. From hiding in the anonymity of the swim to muscling women out of the lane at my pool I find myself having to speak up to these wannabe alphas more than I care to.
I have to say that if someone if consciously grabbing me and telling me to get out of the way while I am well within my rights to be doing exactly what I am doing, then I don’t see the problem in confronting the person.
Unless this is my A race, just because I am racing does not mean I am ok with some jerk thinking he can force his way over me. I also would think I should respond to him so that he doesn’t pull that crap with others who are less able or willing to stand up to this guy.
I don’t believe it is immature to call people out on unacceptable behaviour.
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It’s a race, it doesn’t matter if it is an A race or not.
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Huge difference between “calling someone out” and trying to start a fight. One can be done without incident by informing the race director. The other can only result in negative things occuring such as injury and or charges being filed.
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It is immature.
- It is immature.
Let me give you a slightly different example, since the swim and the associated contact are unique. Let’s say your on the run. Guy or gal thinks you’re following a bit too closely/drafting/whatever and decides to intentionally shoot some snot your way and connects. You haven’t made any contact with them. This is an example from another board. If it was a gal, I would cuss them out. If it was a guy, I would likely cause the front of their right leg to come in quick contact with the rear of their left leg. Immature? Maybe, but I don’t think a race insulates people from a reaction to inappropriate behavior that they would otherwise receive outside of a race. Mind you, I’m not racing to win, so screw it.